Akatori releases on August 5, 2026, for PC, followed by PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S on August 12, 2026, with Nintendo Switch 2 planned for 2027. Developed by Contrast Games and published by Games Harbor and Esprit Games, this action metroidvania follows Mako, a teenage battle monk raised in the Firebird Temple. Accompanied by a mysterious red bird sealed inside a transforming staff, she travels across five worlds and different historical eras to stop the Amber Storms from corrupting living creatures.
DLC
No DLC announced at this time.
Editions – what’s included
No special editions confirmed at this time.
Review
Akatori makes Mako’s staff the foundation of both combat and exploration. It works as a close-range weapon during fights, but its movement abilities are just as important. Mako can use it to glide from high areas, slide down slopes, activate mechanisms, reach hidden paths, and maintain momentum through platforming sequences.
Combat favors deliberate strikes and positioning rather than constant button presses. The staff’s reach gives Mako room to control enemies, while evasive movement and unlockable abilities expand her options against more aggressive creatures. More than 20 regular enemy types and several bosses populate the five worlds, each shaped by the corruption spreading through the setting.
The environments mix detailed pixel artwork with three-dimensional models. Floating structures, twisted forests, caves, temples, and ruined settlements create a strong sense of scale without sacrificing the clean silhouettes needed for precise platforming. An adaptive soundtrack responds to exploration and combat, helping transitions feel natural rather than abruptly switching between separate tracks.
Progression appears closely connected to discovering new staff abilities. Returning to earlier areas with additional movement tools should reveal shortcuts, secrets, and previously unreachable resources. The relationship between Mako and the bird also gives the journey a clear emotional thread beyond simply collecting upgrades.
The enemy count is not especially large for an exploration-heavy game, so repeated encounters could become noticeable. Its demanding platforming and combat may also be less welcoming to players expecting a relaxed metroidvania.
Verdict: A polished-looking metroidvania with expressive staff movement, carefully layered environments, and a protagonist whose weapon meaningfully connects exploration and combat.
PC System Requirements
| Component | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 64-bit version 21H1 or newer | Windows 10 64-bit version 21H1 or newer |
| CPU | Intel Core i3-6100 | Intel Core i5-3470 |
| Memory | 6 GB RAM | 8 GB RAM |
| Graphics | Nvidia GeForce GT 740 DDR3 2 GB | Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 2 GB or AMD Radeon R9 380 2 GB |
| Storage | 10 GB available space | 10 GB available space |
